MMA S.B. 1808 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS HIGHER EDUCATION S.B. 1808 By: Barrientos (Greenberg) 5-15-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the University of Texas at Austin (UT) charges a $1 fee to students per semester or summer session as a source of financial assistance for students in international student exchange and study abroad programs. However, the current fee is insufficient to meet the increased demand for the program and costs associated with the program which have risen substantially. This bill would allow UT to increase the fee to $2 per semester or summer session to assist the university in meeting the demand and increased costs for international student exchange and study abroad programs. PURPOSE S.B. 1808 authorizes the board of regents of the University of Texas System to charge and collect from students registered at the University of Texas at Austin a fee of $2, not to exceed $4, for any semester or summer session for the sole purpose of funding international education programs. The increase is contingent upon the student's approval. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.5131(a), Education Code, as follows: (a) Authorizes the board of regents of the University of Texas System to charge and collect from students registered at The University of Texas at Austin a fee of $2, rather than $1, for any semester or summer session, if approved by a student referendum. Authorizes the fee to be increased to an amount not to exceed $4, if approved by the students in a student referendum. Provides that the fee may only be used for funding an international education program, rather than a financial aid fund, to assist students participating in international student exchange or study programs. SECTION 2. Provides that the changes made by this Act to Section 54.5131, Education Code, apply beginning with the fall semester, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.